Belgium, April 25, 2024
The Nativity of the Theotokos Church in Kortrijk. Photo: archiepiskopia.be
Two new Orthodox churches were formally opened in Belgium in the month of April.
On Saturday, April 13, His Eminence Archbishop Simon of Brussels and Belgium of the Moscow Patriarchate consecrated the altar and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Kortrijk in northwestern Belgium, the diocese reports.
Abp. Simon consecrating the altar. Photo archiepiskopia.be
Vladyka Simon was joined by four priests and five deacons, mainly from Brussels.
During the consecration, relics of St. Vladimir of Kiev and Galicia were placed inside the altar table.
Following the service, all present were treated to a fraternal meal.
Bulgarian Mission of St. Zlata in Antwerp. Photo: dobrotoliubie.com
A week later, the Bulgarian Orthodox Mission of St. Zlata of Maglen, was officially opened in the city of Antwerp, reports Dobrotoliubie.
The mission community meets in the Catholic Chapel of the Holy Name of Christ. About 60 people attended the Divine Liturgy on April 20, celebrated by mission founder and rector Fr. Stoyan Berbatov and Fr. Nikolay Nikolov from the Bulgarian parish in Cologne.
Photo: dobrotoliubie.com
The Lord’s Prayer was read in Slavonic, Bulgarian, Flemish, German, and French.
Following the service, the parish president symbolically cut the ribbon to the singing of “Many Years.”
“We hope and sincerely believe that the creation of a church community for Bulgarians living in this area will contribute to bringing the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection to the hearts and souls of our compatriots,” said Fr. Stoyan.
The day continued with a Lenten meal and live folk music.
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